The French vote was being closely watched as a bellwether for populist sentiment following the election of Donald Trump as US President and Britain’s vote to leave the EU.

Throughout the campaign, Macron insisted that France was “contrarian” – ready to elect a pro-globalisation liberal at a time when rightwing nationalists are making gains across the world.

There were already signs that Macron, who is married to his former school teacher 25 years older than him, would also enjoy support from his defeated rivals in the Republicans and Socialist parties.

Hamon, forecast to win a humiliating six percent and finish in fifth place, said the left had suffered a “historic drubbing” but said voters should back Macron to keep out Le Pen who he said was “an enemy of the republic”.